Cons

Bottom Line

Located two blocks from a subway station in Midtown East, the Wyndham's neighborhood isn't exactly fashionable (it's dominated by offices and residential buildings), but it's a smart, stylish option. It has an intimate, low-key vibe, a great gym, luxurious in-room amenities, a friendly staff, and easy access to Midtown's corporate centers.

Oyster Hotel Review

Scene

A low-key vibe is geared toward a business clientele, but the David Rockwell design makes the hotel feel cool.

The lobby

Its non-descript, 33-story building (erected in 2004) sits on the border of two less-than thrilling neighborhoods Midtown East and Murray Hill. And yet, on the inside, the Wyndham's interiors feel distinctly downtown.

David Rockwell, renowned for his work on the W hotels and Nobu, designed the 203-room property. The lobby is pretty small, though it makes quite the impression with its fireplace and color-changing background lighting.

With Pfizer and TIAA Cref just around the corner, and the United Nations is just a couple of blocks away at 46th Street and First Avenue, Wyndham Midtown 45 is an attractive option for business travelers. But leisure travelers can also find much to like about the hotel -- its large suites; its in-room kitchens; its top-notch bath products; and, from time to time, rates that dip far below comparable hotels.

Location

In Midtown East, surrounded by some of New York’s largest corporate offices, like Pfizer and TIAA Cref.

Unlike more centrally located Midtown hotels, the Wyndham Midtown 45 is about a 10-minute walk east of Grand Central Station. The hotel is a few blocks from the United Nations, and its top floors provide excellent views of that building, the East River, and Midtown landmarks like the Chrysler Building.

Midtown East is where many New Yorkers come to work. Iconic skyscrapers -- the Chrysler Building and the Seagram Building -- dominate the skyline. On the ground, plenty of delis and Starbucks cafes feed the cubicle occupants. Nightlife is scarce, but excellent, typically pricey, cuisine is always within walking distance. On its western border, Fifth Avenue is home to shopping icons like Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Co., along with high-end flagships like Gucci and Versace. Madison Avenue, one block east of Fifth Avenue, is also dotted with designer boutiques.

The area lacks the residential quaintness of the Upper West Side, and most insider haunts are found farther downtown in areas like SoHo or the West Village. But subway access is ample, making it easy to venture anywhere in the city. Plus, the 24-hour, tourist-focused chaos of Times Square and the Theater District is just a long walk, short taxi, or brief subway ride away.

Rooms

Plenty of space, a high-concept David Rockwell design, and flat-screen TVs in the bathrooms are nice, but rooms are worn.

Deluxe Room

In the standard room (the Deluxe King), there's an open closet built into the wall, a desk area with a series of vertical shelves. Of the hotel's 203 rooms, 130 are suites that include luxe amenities like Poggenpohl kitchens, Sub-Zero refrigerators, and Miele dishwashers.

Rooms, though modern, have some wear and tear. Wydham took over the property in 2013 is expected to update the rooms to brand standards.

Features

Family

The sharp corners, breakable high-tech objects, and business-oriented location do not spell "kid-friendly."

Two Bedroom Penthouse Suite

Deluxe Kings do not have room for cots. On the other hand, many of the hotel’s larger suites are more spacious, and feature living rooms with couches and kitchens with huge refrigerators and great cooking appliances. For families with older kids, these could be a great option.

Airport Transportation

About 30 to 90 minutes from three airports

New York City has three nearby airports: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark (in New Jersey). Flying into JFK or LaGuardia is typically easiest and the least time-consuming. From JFK, it's a (one-hour) $45 flat-rate taxi ride to anywhere in Manhattan. From LaGuardia, it's about a (30-minute) $40 metered cab ride to Midtown Manhattan. Rides from Newark cost at least $40 (plus tolls), and can take more than 90 minutes. Don't forget to tip your driver 15-25 percent.

To save some cash, try the group shuttles like Super Shuttle that are available at all three airports for about $14/person. You can also take public transit from any of the airports for as little as $7 per person, but travel can take up to two hours and involve a lot of lugging bags up and down stairs. For mass-transit directions right to the hotel, check out HopStop.com.

Bottom Line

Located two blocks from a subway station in Midtown East, the Wyndham's neighborhood isn't exactly fashionable (it's dominated by offices and residential buildings), but it's a smart, stylish option. It has an intimate, low-key vibe, a great gym, luxurious in-room amenities, a friendly staff, and easy access to Midtown's corporate centers.